Why cruising is for... YOU!
Stylish, spacious and safe, there’s so much to do on P&O’S mega ship Iona – it’s an adventure you’ll never forget
With capacity for 5,200 guests, those new to cruising – or anyone who’s taken a break from travelling due to COVID-19 – may feel daunted before boarding Iona, currently the largest ship in P&O’S fleet. But the beauty of this 345m-long floating ‘city at sea’ is the abundance of space on every deck, which goes a long way towards helping you feel safe, and means you’re never short of fun.
Space to unwind
Whatever time of year you travel, bad weather isn’t a problem on board. This is thanks to the two-deck Skydome, which features a glass roof (made by the same engineers who worked on the Bulgari Glass House in Italy). Plus, there are four swimming pools and 18 whirlpool
The Skydome is an all-weather delight spas spread across multiple decks, so there are no large crowds of sunseekers gathering around just one area. This is ideal for Iona, who only sails from Southampton this year, the majority of the time to the Norwegian fjords before heading to Spain, the Canaries and northern Europe during the winter months.
Safety comes first
At the time of writing, guests have to be fully vaccinated and take a PCR test before boarding, while masks are mandatory when walking around the ship, although they can be removed when sitting down. Other subtle changes that regular cruisers may notice include disposable menus, table service for drinks and no self-service at the buffet. But first-timers won’t notice anything – except that your safety is top priority.
Stunning scenery
Iona is a ship you may feel reluctant to leave on port days – the many shops, impressive theatre shows, casual market street dining
(like delicious fish and chips), and even famous faces performing at The Limelight Club, mean there’s plenty to do on board. Having launched in August 2021, the contemporary decor adds a real wow factor. An Italian marble sweeping staircase is the showpiece of the three-story Grand Atrium, the ultimate place to spot dolphins and other sea life.
So much to do
Time spent on board can be very indulgent. Feeling energetic? Book a personal trainer at the state-of-the-art gym, followed by a restorative massage at The Retreat. Then head to deck six to watch a blockbuster in the boutique quadplex cinema, before popping into Anderson’s Bar and Library, home to the first gin distillery at sea. A gin flight is the ideal pre-dinner tipple.
Foodies rejoice
With Freedom Dining for all, you can choose when and where you eat from the 30+ dining establishments – pick somewhere new every night! The more formal venues or speciality dining rooms, such as Sindhu and Epicurean, require booking via an app, so there’s a table waiting for you at the exact time you want it. Foodies will love menus from Marco Pierre White, Spanish chef José Pizarro and Norwegian culinary expert Kjartan Skjelde.
Modern music venues
Perhaps the main difference between Iona and more traditional ships is her music venues. Forget hits of the 70s on repeat – here, everything is contemporary. There are silent discos, pop-up buskers, DJ sets produced by Blur’s Alex James, and Gary Barlow even makes occasional appearances in his role as Musical Director of the adultsonly 710 Club.